Mehri S. McKellar, MD, an infectious disease specialist at Duke Health in Durham, N.C., told this news organization.
“This powerful study provides important data on HPV genotype prevalence in the MSM HIV+ population, validating that Gardasil 9 will greatly help these individuals,” said Dr. McKellar, who was not involved in the study.
Robert Salata, MD, infectious disease specialist and professor at Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, also encourages MSM to get the vaccine.
“It is important to understand that the prevalence of anal HPV in men who have sex with men is very high, that the prevalence, including high-risk genotypes, has remained stable, and that the 9-valent vaccine is clearly indicated, especially in younger men and those with known gonorrhea and other STDs,” Dr. Salata (who was also not involved in the study) told this news organization.
“This is an important reminder for us to continue promoting and providing the vaccine to our patients, especially to HIV+ men who have sex with men, who have the highest rates of anal infection with HPV,” Dr. McKellar advised.
The authors, Dr. McKellar, and Dr. Salata report no relevant financial relationships.
A version of this article first appeared on Medscape.com.